Spring seat-post.



f No. zfsm.` Pamnted Nov. 5,1901.

l G. W. SNYDEFL SPRING SEAT Pos1.

(Application filed Oct. 30, 1900.)

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ens co. Pnmufuu.. WASHINGTON, D. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT FFIC.

GEORGE W. SNYDER, OF GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TC CHARLES H. BERKEY, OF GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN.

SPRING SEAT-Post.

sPEcIFrcArioN `forming part of Letters Patent No. 686,156, dated November 5, 190i. Applioationled October 30,1900. Serial No. 34,961. (No model.) l

To @ZZ whom t may oon/cerro:

Be it known that I, GEORGE W. SNYDER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Grand Rapids, in the county of Kent and State of tion.

Michigan, have invented new and useful Improvements in Spring Seat-Posts, ot' which the followingis a specification.

This invention relates to a new and novel spring seat-post for bicycles; and the invention consists in the combination and arrangement of part-s hereinafter fully described and claimed. y

The objectsof my invention are, iirst, to so arrange a plurality of balls in a plurality of grooves inthe seat-support, in combination with a nut peculiarly constructed, that the balls will at all times tit closely in the grooves and prevent any turning motion to the seat and seat-support; second, to furnish means for easily and readily taking up any wearin the seat-post third, to so construct the post that the balls can be easily and cheaply inserted in position in thc seat-post, and, fourth, to so arrange the springs and seatsupport thatthe seat has a spring motion when it rebounds after a sudden depression of the main spring. These objects I accomplish by means of the mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which-' Figure 1 is ua side elevation of a seat-post constructed in accordance with my inven- Fig. 2 is also a side elevation, but partially in section. Fig. 3 shows a vertical seotional View of the tubular post and adjusting-nuts with the spring removed in order to show the construction of the support and washer. Fig. 4t shows the upper end of the tubular seat-post, the adjusting-nuts in section, and also a section of the seat-support, illustrating the part of the seatsupport which is provided with grooves with which the balls engage. Fig. 5 shows a horizontal sectional view on line X X of Fig. 4.

Similar letters refer to similar parts throughout the several views. i

A represents an arm attached to the seatsupport and serving as a means for attaching the seat.

B is the seat-support proper, which tits into the tubular seat-post C. The seat-post C forms 1a part of the bicycle-frame and is constructed in the ordinary manner. It is provided at its upper end, however, with a screw-thread I-I and is also provided with a plurality of openings corresponding with the grooves in the seat-support. These openings are for the reception of the balls I.

D is the retaining and adjusting nut, being grooved out at Dinto a conical form. The conical portion of the nut D bears upon the balls and retains them in place within the grooves F F, r'c., of the seat-support.

E is a lock-nut mounted upon the seatpost, abutting against the nut D for` locking the latter in position and provided with the groove E', ,registering with the groove D' of the nut D.

W is a washer surrounding the seat-support below the balls and forms an abutment for the upper end of the spring K.

L is a washer surrounding the seat-support and forming an abutment or stop for the lower end of the spring K. The seat-support B is provided with a broad groove, as shown in Fig. 3 by R. The lower portion of this groove forms a shoulder, against which the washer L rests when in normal position. This shoulder is shown by R'. L has a longitudinal movement along the seat-support B.

M is the main spring of the seat-support. The lower end of the spring M abuts against the adj usting-nut N. When the seat-support is pressed downward, both the springs K and M are compressed. If the strength of the spring M exceeds the strength of the spring K, the washer L will be raised from its seat. When the pressure is suddenly relieved, the seat-post will be raised quickly by the action of the spring M; but the spring K, having an abutting surface L at the lower end and W at the upper end, will be contracted and will prevent a sudden bumping or jarring of the seat--that is, the spring K forms a strong cushion for the seat-post in its upward movement.

In the drawings I have shown four grooves F, F, F, and F in the seatsupport and four balls which fit into the four grooves. I do not wish, however, to limit myself to this particular number, as a greater or less number may be used without departing from the spirit of my invention. I have shown also IOO in the drawings the spring K placed near the upper end of the seat-support. It will be evident that the same may be placed in any position in connection with the seat-support which will produce the result desired. It is also evident that the cushion-spring K may be used either with or Without a ball-bearing seat-post.

In constructing my improved seat-post the openings in the tubular post C are of such size as to allow the balls to be placed through such openings into the grooves. The conical nut D is then turned down until it bears against the balls, pressing them into the grooves, as shown in Figs.' 2 and 4. The lock-nut E is then turned so as to be brought in contact with the conical nut D, when it presents the appearance shown in Fig. 1.

The arm A is held in position by lneans of the nut P in the ordinary manner.

Having thus described my invention, what- I claim to have invented, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-- l. The combination with a seat-post provided with a screw-thread and a plurality1 of openings, ofaseat-support having a plurality of grooves, a plurality of balls adapted to t in said grooves and openings, and a conical nut engaging with the screw-thread of said post and bearing against said balls, retaining the same securely within said grooves and openings.

2. The combination of a seat-post provided at its upper end with an external screwthread and a series of openings, a seat-support extending into the said post and provided With a series of grooves registering with the .openings in the seat-post, a series of balls mounted in the said openings and grooves, a nut provided With a groove for retaining said balls in position, and a lock-nut provided esente with a groove registering with the groove of the first-mentioned nut and adapted to permit the play of the balls and to retain the said first-mentioned nut in position.

3. The combination of a seat-post provided at its upper end with a screw-thread and a series of openings, a seat-support extending into said post and having a portion of its length grooved and further provided with a shoulder, a washer mounted upon said support at theend of the grooved portion thereof, awasher mounted upon the said seat-support and supported by the said shoulder, a spring interposed between the said Washers, a series of balls mounted in. the said openings and engaging in the grooved portion of the said seat-support, and nuts mounted upon the said post for retaining the said balls in position.

4. The combination of a seat-post provided with openings, a grooved seat support, a locking means engaging said support and extending through said openings, and means mounted on the periphery of said seat-post and contacting with said locking means outside the post for retaining the locking means in position.

5. A seat-post, a seatsupport operating therein, ball-bearings extending through said seat-post and engaging said support, means engaging the periphery of said seat-post for retaining said balls in position, and an upper and lower spring mounted on said support, said lower spring being adjustable.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

GEORGE W. SNYDER.

NVitnesses:

EDWARD TAGGART, ELIZABETH J. PHILLIPS. 

